How I tried to stop worrying and love nuclear power by Judith Lewis
Judith Lewis has written an excellent investigative article titled “How I tried to stop worrying and love nuclear power” for LA Weekly. She apparently spent the better part of six months researching her story and talking to people all over the country from San Onofre, to Yucca Mountain, to Washington, D. C.
Though I still have some quibbles with the facts that she quotes from certain sources, her journalism is impeccably balanced and her personal critical thinking skills shine through. I have posted a comment to her blog at http://laweekly.blogs.com/judith_lewis/2005/11/how_i_tried_to_.html and I encourage you to visit there to participate in the ensuing discussion. Alternatively, feel free to start a lively debate here.
Unlike at least one of the anti-nuclear campaigners quoted in Ms. Lewis’s article, I feel qualified and responsible for recommending future energy systems. There should be little doubt that the most effective choice for the forseeable future is to build as many nuclear power plants and atomic engines as we can safely achieve. I am for reducing our burning of fossil fuel for a number of reasons including protecting the planet, preventing war, enabling clean growth, reducing local air and water pollution, and achieving a prosperous world where far more people have access to abundant, affordable energy.
There is no doubt that there are several great designs out there; picking just one or two would be short-sighted and create a potentially risky monoculture with limited innovation and limited protection against the inevitable issues that might arise. May all excellent designs prosper!
